After reading Frank Ferraro's letter to the editor in Friday's Exeter News-Letter some will ask, "Why is he making such a big deal over losing $500 in two years in the operation of the solar panel array at the DPW?" First, it is not just $500, it was the spending of $115,000 for the panels and installation, too. Some will then say, "It was not Exeter taxpayer money, it was a State grant." Oh, that's much better. We used money from taxpayers outside out town to fund our ill conceived boondoggle. But, it doesn't end here.
Taxpayers were told the units would save us $30,000 over ten years. Well, we're $500 in the hole after two and projections based on Unitil electricity rates and our contract with the owner of the panels indicate it will only get worse. Oh, you didn't know we don't own the panels? That's right, but wait, we can purchase them for $6,000 after the first 10 years. But it even gets better.
One might ask, "What is the expected life of solar panels?" Well, the industry uses 25 years. So, let's see. Oops, we will not, nor would we have at the oversold projected savings, ever see the original cost paid back in savings. And, top this off by the fact that solar panels see a significant drop in performance over their life.
And, who was (is) minding the store and checking invoices before making payments to the owner of the solar panels? No one, else they would have caught errors in billing. I guess the Town just runs on automatic.
So, why is it such a big deal? The taxpayers were mislead into spending money irresponsibly. This was a "feel good" pet project of Julie Gilman. Top this off by the stone walling that Town Manager, Russell Dean, did when presented with an RSA 91A request for documentation to evaluate the project to see if it's performance met the criteria given to taxpayers. He obviously was concerned it did not since he was less than forthcoming in his response for invoices.
We need more folks like Frank Ferraro to keep an eye on our Town government to make certain the taxpayers are getting a fair deal when their hard earned dollars are spent.
"Oh, that's much better. We used money from taxpayers outside out town to fund our ill conceived boondoggle." Interesting: that sarcasm applies to federal "grants' for removing certain damns, doesn't it.
ReplyDelete"...to make certain the taxpayers are getting a fair deal..." This is a logical impossibility. The only tax that is fair is the non-existent one.
We are fortunate to have Frank. I certainly will vote for him to be a State Representative. You are so appreciated, Frank, for sticking your neck out for the people of Exeter. You have been watching our backs and our tax dollars. I wish more brave souls would do so. Just think about what positive changes could take place.
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